Firearm homicide rates in the 50 most populated US metropolitan areas continue to outpace the national rate, but in both large urban areas and the rest of the country, the rates have declined in recent years. However, big cities have lower firearm suicide rates than the rest of the country, even as the national rate has increased.

Between 2006 to 2007 and 2009 to 2010, firearm homicides in the country’s 50 largest cities decreased to 4.3 from 5.2 per 100 000 population. Nationally, the rate fell to 3.7 from 4.2. In 2009 to 2010, the New Orleans area had the highest firearm homicide rate, 19.0, and the San Diego metro area had the lowest, 1.1. Decreased firearm homicide rates nationally are attributed to declines in 39 of the 50 most populous metropolitan areas.